Local veterinary clinics, dental offices ease into reopening

By Samantha Ickes Staff Writer

Friday

May 1, 2020 at 2:53 PMMay 1, 2020 at 6:20 PM

Ohio took its first steps toward reopening Friday.

As per Gov. Mike DeWine's orders, veterinary clinics and dental offices were able to resume services previously deemed nonessential Friday while keeping in mind social distancing and disinfecting guidelines.

Many veterinary clinics added services such as wellness checks and routine surgeries while the majority of area dental offices remained closed with plans to reopen Monday.

Veterinary clinics

It was a busy day for veterinary clinics across the state.

Veterinary clinics have been opened throughout the coronavirus crisis for emergency cases and to care for sick animals. Operations took a step toward returning to normal with the addition of services such as wellness checks and non-emergency surgeries like spaying and neutering.

Dr. Kristen Wellert at Ark Veterinary Hospital said the staff has worked hard since closing its doors to the public to stay in communication with clients. Curbside care was offered for sick animals and on an emergency basis, she said.

Owners drive up to the clinic and call to alert a staff member they have arrived. A staff member then goes outside and brings the pet into the building. Through an app, the owner can log in to access a webcam in the exam room to talk with the doctor and ask questions, Wellert said.

There are some circumstances where people will be permitted inside the building, she said. Curbside care, however, is encouraged to limit people-to-people contact.

Some exams — such as a check up — can take place outside with the owner maintaining the six-foot distance guideline, Wellert said.

"We are still at this point going to strive to continue that service rather than opening up the doors to the public because it has been working so well for us and (owners) can beam in through the webcam so easily," she said.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, a branch of Veterinary Wellness Partners, also has offered curbside care throughout the pandemic.

Dr. Mel Wenger, owner of Veterinary Wellness Partners, said the clinic has been offering limited services and expanded their services Friday. Orrville Pet Spa & Resort is slated to open Monday, he said.

"We're going to continue to do that," Wenger said, adding staff wanted to reduce the number of people in the lobby. "... It seems like it’s going to be very busy the way the phone has been ringing today. We have a lot of catching up to do."

Dental offices

Many dental offices appeared to remain closed Friday.

Calls to local practices went to voicemail, and some informed patients appointments could be made beginning Monday or later next week.

Dr. Sharon Parsons, president of the Ohio Dental Association and a practicing Columbus dentist, issued a statement about the reopening of dental offices across the state. In the statement, Parsons addressed the importance of dental hygiene and following government guidelines because "we are now living in a new world with COVID-19."

Some dental offices will implement changes such as having patients wait in their car, doing triage over the phone and asking a series of health-related questions upon arrival.

These changes are to protect both staff and patients, Parsons said.

While offices were closed, some practices opted to donate their personal protective equipment (PPE), she said. Those offices may need to delay their opening until they can obtain the proper PPE, Parsons said.

"We also know that good oral health is essential to overall health," she wrote. "Undiagnosed and untreated dental disease has been associated with a number of systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and pregnancy complications."

Dr. Kathy Brisley-Sedon, one of three dentists at Chippewa Creek Dental in Seville, has a number of northern Wayne County patients and some patients from Holmes County as well, she said.

Though the practice has been doing emergency services since mid-March, they will begin seeing patients for more routine work beginning Monday, Brisley-Sedon said.

The Chippewa Creek Dental team had a staff meeting last Wednesday to discuss the reopening of services and precautions. The decision was made to wait until Monday to allow time for workers who had been laid off to find child care, Brisley-Sedon said.

The practice will have a "soft opening," she said, adding appointments will be staggered to try to limit contact between patients waiting in the lobby area.

Patients will be asked screening questions ahead of the appointment and will have their temperature taken upon arrival, Brisley-Sedon said.

Sanitary measures and the use of PPE always have been in place in the exam rooms, she said.

After the meeting with the staff, Brisley-Sedon felt concerns employees have about returning to work were put to rest.

"My understanding is they are comfortable, and we're ready to go," she said. "We’re happy to be getting back to seeing our patients and taking care of them."

—Reach Samantha at 330-827-1626 or Samantha.Ickes@the-daily-record.com. Follow her on Twitter @SamanthaKIckes.

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